Director of Occupational Therapy at ST MARYS HOME – Norfolk, Virginia

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Occupational Therapy (OTR/L) provides clinical leadership, administrative oversight, and strategic direction for the Occupational Therapy Department in a licensed pediatric Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID). The Director ensures the delivery of high-quality, person-centered, and ICF/IID-compliant active treatment services that support residents’ functional abilities, safety, dignity, and quality of life.

The Director is responsible for program development, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational management of OT services, including ADLs, bathing and feeding programs, orthotics and splinting, and mobility/wheelchair and positioning clinics. This role ensures OT services are aligned with federal and state regulations, professional standards of practice, and the mission and values of St. Mary’s Home.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Departmental Leadership & Operations – Lead, Manage, and Accountability

• Provide overall leadership and management of the Occupational Therapy Department.
• Recruit, orient, train, supervise, and evaluate OT department staff.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented departmental culture.
• Develop staffing plans, schedules, and coverage models to meet resident needs.
• Oversee departmental budgeting, supply procurement, inventory management, and equipment planning.
• Support student education, fieldwork placements, and professional development initiatives.
• Conduct performance evaluations, and offer constructive feedback.
• Participate in organizational committees, quality improvement initiatives, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with other departments, including other therapeutic services departments (PT, speech, dietary services), nursing, residential, recreational therapy, etc.
• Participate in policy development.

ICF/IID Active Treatment & Clinical Oversight

• Direct and oversee the delivery of occupational therapy services that meet ICF/IID active treatment requirements, ensuring services are designed to increase, maintain, or prevent regression of functional skills.
• Ensure OT services are fully integrated into residents’ Individual Service Plans (ISPs) and implemented consistently across disciplines and shifts.
• Establish, review, and update OT clinical protocols and treatment standards in accordance with CMS, state regulations, and AOTA standards of practice.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings, care conferences, and facility-wide clinical planning to support coordinated resident care.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, and performance feedback to OTR/Ls, COTAs, and OT support staff.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Program Leadership

• Direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of OT-driven ADL programs, including bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming, hygiene, and related self-care skills.
• Ensure ADL interventions promote maximum independence, functional participation, safety, comfort, and dignity, consistent with ICF/IID regulations.
• Oversee ADL assessments, documentation, adaptive equipment recommendations, and task analysis processes.
• Collaborate with nursing and direct care leadership to ensure consistent implementation of ADL plans across all shifts.
• Ensure staff education and competency related to ADL supports, adaptive strategies, and dignity-preserving care practices.

Feeding Program Oversight

• Collaborate with SLPs, medical providers, and residential staff on nutrition management.
• Ensure feeding evaluations, Mealtime Assistance Plans, and interventions are implemented in alignment with physician orders, ISPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee staff training related to feeding safety, positioning, adaptive feeding equipment, and risk management.
• Monitor program outcomes and address clinical or safety concerns related to feeding interventions.

Orthotics, Splinting & Adaptive Equipment Program Leadership

• Direct OT services related to orthotic, splint, positioning, and adaptive equipment assessment and fabrication.
• Oversee orthotics and splinting standards, maintenance schedules, safety checks, and replacement protocols.
• Ensure clinical decision-making, documentation, and physician collaboration meet professional and regulatory standards.
• Provide guidance on complex cases requiring reassessment, specialty consultation, or medical intervention.

Mobility, Wheelchair & Positioning Clinic Leadership

• Lead the Wheelchair and Mobility Clinic, ensuring residents receive appropriate seating, mobility, and positioning systems.
• Oversee wheelchair evaluations, fittings, modifications, inspections, and documentation.
• Ensure mobility and positioning equipment supports alignment, pressure management, skin integrity, safety, and functional participation.
• Establish staff training and competency standards related to transfers, positioning, wheelchair use, and equipment maintenance.
• Monitor outcomes and address systemic issues related to mobility equipment or positioning plans.
• Support wheelchair technicians, and establish and monitor regular maintenance and cleaning schedules and procedures.

Admission & Discharge Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure timely completion of occupational therapy admissions assessments in accordance with ICF/IID regulations, facility policy, and professional standards of practice.
• Ensure OT evaluations contribute to the development of the resident’s Individual Service Plan (ISP), including identification of ADL, feeding, mobility, positioning, and adaptive equipment needs.
• Coordinate with the interdisciplinary team to support safe, effective transition into the facility, including staff education related to new admissions’ OT programs and equipment.
• Ensure all required admission documentation is completed accurately, timely, and in compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Provide oversight for discharge planning and transitions, including reassessment of functional needs, equipment recommendations, and caregiver education as applicable.
• Collaborate with social work, QIDPs, families, and receiving providers to support continuity of care and safe transitions at discharge.
• Ensure discharge-related documentation reflects resident status, progress, and equipment disposition in accordance with regulatory standards.

Documentation, Compliance & Survey Readiness

• Ensure all OT documentation meets ICF/IID regulatory standards, professional practice requirements, and facility policies.
• Monitor documentation quality, timeliness, and consistency across OT staff.
• Maintain records supporting active treatment, habilitation outcomes, equipment safety, and program effectiveness.
• Serve as the OT subject-matter expert during surveys, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Develop and implement corrective action plans related to OT services as needed.

CONDUCT

• Demonstrate kindness, patience, and compassion when working with team members, residents, and visitors.
• Collaborate effectively with all team members, maintaining a positive, respectful attitude.
• Approach challenges with creativity and a commitment to fostering a fun, engaging environment.
• Consistently uphold the standards of the organization by following all policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Minimum of 7 years of clinical occupational therapy experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience in an OT or healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of ICF/IID regulations, active treatment standards, and interdisciplinary care models.

Preferred:

• Experience in a pediatric ICF/IID or residential setting.
• Experience with ADL programs, bathing and feeding programs, wheelchair seating and positioning, orthotics, and adaptive equipment.
• Experience with regulatory compliance, survey preparation, and quality improvement initiatives.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

Mission:

At St. Mary’s Home, our mission is to provide “a good life – expanding horizons for people with diverse abilities through care, compassion, and community.”

Core Values:

Our work is guided by the values of being Fun, Kind, Collaborative, Compassionate, Engaged, and Person-Centered, ensuring that residents receive respectful, individualized care and that staff are supported to make a meaningful impact.

OTHER DUTIES

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Occupational Therapy Department and the mission of St. Mary’s Home.